In the release, Santorum communications director Hogan Gidley said, "Rick Santorum has a consistent core – and he showed that when he went to Puerto Rico and took a locally unpopular but principled stance about English being the official language of America. Mitt Romney on the other hand, switched another one of his positions to gain favor in Puerto Rico, by saying that Puerto Ricans shouldn't have to learn English if they want to become a state. We all know Mitt Romney will do and say anything to get votes, and this is just another example of that."

Santorum did take a controversial stand on English as a condition for Puerto Rico's possible statehood last week in a newspaper interview on the island. He later said to an extent that he was misquoted or taken out of context.

He told CNN National Political Correspondent Jim Acosta that both English and Spanish should be required if Puerto Rico were to become the 51st state.

"Obviously Spanish will be spoken here on the island. But this needs to be a bilingual country, not just a Spanish speaking country," Santorum told Acosta.

"Sen. Santorum is lashing out at Mitt Romney because voters know we won't get the economy going again by replacing one president with no job creation experience with another with no job creation experience," Romney press secretary Andrea Saul told CNN. "Sen. Santorum doesn't understand how the economy works and also doesn't understand that English has been an official language of Puerto Rico for over 100 years."

Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who's making his second bid for the GOP nomination, won more than 80% of the vote in Sunday's primary, capturing all 20 delegates at stake. Romney has a more than a two-to-one advantage over Santorum in the race for delegates, but he's still less than halfway toward the 1,144 delegates needed to clinch the nomination.

soundoff(336 Responses)

Right On Ethan, you just took the words out of my mouth is just a simple fact that I learned in 3rd grade.

March 19, 2012 07:22 pm at 7:22 pm |

Sabah Dabby

I am wondering if Senator Santorum's statement that Peurto Ricans need to speak
English before being grated statehood is a code word to those who believe that Peurto Ricans are are not "real Americans". I wonder if he considers naturalized citizens that speak English poorly to be "real Americans". I wonder if he considers President Obama a real American.

March 19, 2012 07:28 pm at 7:28 pm |

Patrish

Do people really think that the country would be better under a Republican? Worried about gas prices, tell them to stop the speculation, and selling to other countries. Alaska doesn't send all it's oil to the states. Wake up people. Stop whining and get use to the higher prices – many countries pay more then we do, but they don't drive the big gas hogs to impress their friends. Learn to roll with the punches, and live accordingly.

March 19, 2012 07:31 pm at 7:31 pm |

pat carr

"This administration is depressing and I am saddened that so many are suffering by the policies on the books. But solyndra got hundreds of millions, and your cronies are estatic at least."

LOL – Solyndra. No doubt corrupt but what about the billions shoveled into Halliburton? I don't like blame either but get real: it is going to take a long time to turn around the aftermath left by bush's disastrous regime

March 19, 2012 07:33 pm at 7:33 pm |

smc

Romney keeps claiming economic experience, but as far as I know, all of Romney's economic experience amounts to being good at sending jobs overseas. That's not the kind of economic experience we need at the moment, or ever.

March 19, 2012 07:41 pm at 7:41 pm |

bringiton

the president is not in charge of gas prices.

March 19, 2012 07:42 pm at 7:42 pm |

Arthur Paliden

"The Handmaids Tale" coming to a country near you.

March 19, 2012 07:46 pm at 7:46 pm |

John

When I was a kid I found my amusement in the daily comic strips. Now I read the Republican Party.

March 19, 2012 07:49 pm at 7:49 pm |

Don't worry Republics . . .

you can try again in 2016 . .

March 19, 2012 08:04 pm at 8:04 pm |

Chief Media Urologist

Santorum – The Great Divider. Just what the United States needs: a whiny, finger-pointing evangelist wannabe in the White House.

The fact that the Republicans took us over the edge and have spent every day since Obama was inaugurated trying to deflect the blame to Obama is proof positive to me that they have no business leading our nation now or at anytime in the foreseeable future.

March 19, 2012 08:06 pm at 8:06 pm |

A not-so-stupid former republican

These two so-called christians are not acting very christian like, are they?

March 19, 2012 08:11 pm at 8:11 pm |

Gary, Hunt Valley, Md.

Hi, I'm Rick Santorum, and I'm a dork. A vote for me is a vote for God. He approves of this message.

March 19, 2012 08:11 pm at 8:11 pm |

Allyria

Please, please, please, let Ricky stay in the race till the PA primary. I really want to see us hand him his head on a platter again.

March 19, 2012 08:13 pm at 8:13 pm |

4F

With Sanitarium it is men first, the unborn a close second, and women dead last.

March 19, 2012 08:32 pm at 8:32 pm |

Santorum Blasts (Fill In The Blank)

How can such a good christian boy be such a whiny creep?

March 19, 2012 08:37 pm at 8:37 pm |

rs1201

Obama will lose...he's too much of a loser to keep in the Whtie House and really drive this country to the ground!

March 19, 2012 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |

Kimo

We do not need a narrow minded, anti-intellectual and anti-science zealot as President. We also don't need someone who thinks that God is telling him what to do. That delusion has already gotten us into two wars.

March 19, 2012 08:52 pm at 8:52 pm |

once upon a horse

as a person who normally votes Democrat unless the Republicans happen to offer someone better (and this year they WON'T!!) I am enjoying this every bit. I hope it goes on to Tampa...about the only reason to even follow GOP politics.

Americans have short memories.....wouldn't be surprised if one of those clowns wins in Nov.....god help us

March 19, 2012 09:16 pm at 9:16 pm |

guesswho22

I like the post that clearly makes sense: Tax Cuts + War = Debt. That's the Bush era creedo, haven't we learned anything? Obama is not so quick to bomb another middle east country (Iran) and stir the hornets nest once again just so defense corporations can make more profits while our deficit rises. These defense contracts are profiting excessively, our congress and senate are buying their stocks and enriching themselves, and we the people gain the debt by adding trillions to the $15 trillion already on the books. War must be an act of congress, and they are all corrupt. We must act only when attacked. Iran will not nuke us or Israel, its all saber rattling... they would be annihilated and they know that. Stop the nonsense, Republicans, or the consequences could be dire in more ways than one!

March 19, 2012 09:26 pm at 9:26 pm |

skarphace

Rick Santorum is the new figurehead for the group of Americans that want the government to stay completely out of their lives but have complete control over other people's lives. Who cares what language Puerto Rican's speak? Who cares whether a woman uses birth control? Who cares what two grown men do in the privacy of their home?